I had the cloth seats in my 2006 Mini and they were scratchy, and every time I got out of the car I got a big static electricity shock. I've had the leatherette in my other car and it is very hot and sticky. On my 2008 Mini S I ordered the leather option and I love it. It breathes a little and I seldom stick to it. It also allows you to slide into the seat with ease. It feels good and smells good. As far as it stretching out, I'm not going to worry about that as I don't see it when I'm driving. I'd order leather again!

Good luck!

 

I was surprised at the headliner price as well, but do not regret it at all. The black really finishes off the color of the seats and the piano black panels.

 

We install leather interiors by Katzkin leather. It is pretty cool to be able to design your own "look". There are endless variations to consider: Two tones, contrasting stitching or piping, logos, ostrich & gator hyde.
check them out. "Katzkin Leather"

autotrimhawaii.com

 

Why are you "advertising" on a thread that's 3 Months Old??!!

 

Does Katzkin make leather covers for the MCS? I looked at their website an it is not listed.

 

Perhaps some folks need leather information at present

 

Timeless subjects
Perhaps some folks need leather information at present

and that includes me

 

I had an S with leather and a non S with vinyl (leatherette). The S had sports seats. I love the vinyl and NON sports seats. Very comfy, look great all the time, and easy to take care of. So for me the least expensive is the most enjoyable. Cloth for me is not an option - nasty dirty is what comes to mind. My saleman told me if I never ate in the car it would be fine, but I have never seen cloth seats that were not nasty dirty looking. Hot and cold hasn't really made me change my mind, except on the occasion when its freezing and my shirt gets pulled up a bit on entry - have acquired the habit of making sure my shirt is snugly tucked in on entry. My leather seats after a year were looking like leather - and that is character for sure, but I prefer orderly. Indeed they make many beautiful combinations of interiors in Oxford - my vote goes to the cheapest - also got the dark healiner which I think looks good with the dark seats and rest of the interior - think that was 100 bucks or so.

Love my Mini (sold the S so not Minis)

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I was all set to go for the Lounge Leather, it's so beautiful and rich looking. Then I test drove a base leatherette equipped car, it was far nicer than I expected it to be. It didn't seem cheap or "low rent" at all, as I feared it might. I thought "hmmm... I could live with this!" and ordered the leatherette.

I haven't regretted my decision once (well, maybe once - see below!!). I've had my NFR Cooper for almost 9 months and 18000km (11000 miles). The base (non-sport) seats are very comfy, even on long highway hauls. Yes, it can be hot in the summer, but so is leather in my experience, not really much difference. Just crank up the a/c a notch or two. I have a dog - no worries at all with my seats, mud and sand are no problem. A wipe with damp cloth and they look new again. If you have pets and/or kids and/or slobs for friends, it's a no-brainer IMHO.

I DO have one regret. If you live where the winter temperatures are frigid (as I do), be SURE you order the seat heaters with the leatherette. I didn't ("who needs heated seats - - they cost $500?? - - no way, I'm tough, who needs them!!") - WRONG!! Those seats take forever to warm up in -20 weather through "butt-heat" alone.

With that one exception (brrrrrr...) the base leatherette seats are definitely the way to go. It's liberating (really, it is!) to be able to forget about possible scratches, stretching, drying out from the sun, dog or kid drool, dirt, spilled whatever - and just drive and enjoy my MINI.

And one last huge (to me) advantage. I just went on the MINI.ca configurator, chose a nice base 2009 Cooper. 16" runflats, leather MF steering wheel, cruise, auto climate control, heated windshield washer jets, all the traction bells & whistles and 6-sp manual (all these things and more are standard on the base Cooper here in Canada). Click ONE more box - the lounge leather - and the price immediately increases by $3340. $3340!!

'Nuff said!

 

Seat heaters rule!

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I wouldn't know...

 

trust me on that one!!

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I ended up going with the redwood lounge, I am glad I did!

The uniqueness and feel is great!

 

I also went with the leatherett to mainly save some money. But it looks pretty good and is durably as anything! I have spilled more things on them and just wiped them up.